Lemonleaf, Salal: Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality

Michael S. ReidDepartment of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis

Description

Gaultheria shallon. A hardy, long-lived cut foliage, salal was named for Dr. Gaultier, a physician from Quebec in about 1750.

Quality Indices

Branches should be harvested when the leaves are mature, without tender young growth at the tips. Salal is very long lasting and has few postharvest problems. If the foliage is of good quality at time of purchase, it should provide satisfaction in the vase.

Grading and Bunching

Quality foliage has uniform mature green leaves with no damage, defects, or disease. Salal is usually sold 20 stems per bunch.

Ethylene Sensitivity

Salal is not affected by exposure to ethylene.

Pretreatments

Salal does not require any pretreatments to perform satisfactorily in the vase.

Storage Conditions

Salal should be stored at –0.5-1°C. When harvested, lemonleaf is normally stored, bunched and cooled, at or slightly below freezing, in large bins lined with plastic to reduce water loss.

Packing

Salal is normally packed in horizontal fiberboard boxes.

Special Considerations

Even though the stems are woody, salal is adapted to standard florists’ procedures for re-hydration and use in arrangements.